A heavy garda presence is expected at the removal tonight of murdered drug dealer Martin "Marlo" Hyland.
A large number of undercover gardaí are expected to mingle in the crowd in what sources said may be one of the biggest gangland funerals seen in Dublin for many years.
It has now emerged that gardaí narrowly missed the gunmen who shot Mr Hyland in his niece's house at Scribblestown Park, Finglas, and also murdered 20-year-old plumber's apprentice Michael Campbell.
Mr Campbell was shot in the head by Mr Hyland's killers because he was an eyewitness to the drug dealer's murder.
A garda car passed the getaway vehicle as it was driving from the crime scene to the Ballygall area of Glasnevin where it was burned out. However, the gardaí on patrol only realised later in the day that the car they had spotted was that of the killers.
Garda sources said while Mr Hyland was under surveillance at the time of his death he was not being watched around the clock. They also said that while Mr Hyland had been made aware by gardaí of a threat against his life it was not the role of the force to offer armed protection to criminals like Mr Hyland.
The remains of the 39-year-old will be taken from Massey's funeral home on the New Cabra Road at 5.30pm this evening to Christ The King Church, Cabra.
The deceased will be buried tomorrow after 10am Mass at the church. Leading members of Dublin's and Limerick's criminal fraternities are expected to be in attendance.
Gardaí believe Mr Hyland was killed by members of his own gang who either believed he was a garda informer or decided he was attracting too much garda attention.
These men are expected to attend their victim's funeral.
The remains of Mr Campbell, of Greek Street, Dublin, will be taken from Massey's on Thomas Street to nearby John's Lane Church for Mass at 10am tomorrow. He will be buried at Newlands Cross Cemetery on Wednesday following 10am Mass at John's Lane Church.
Garda sources last night expressed satisfaction with progress in the investigation into the double shooting. They have drawn up a short list of suspects whom they have interviewed and whose alibis for last Tuesday morning are being checked.
One of the suspects is a Dublin man around the same age as Mr Hyland who has served a lengthy prison sentence for drugs offences.
He is also a prime suspect for the murder of Patrick Harte (42) in Raheny, Dublin, in May. Mr Harte had flooded his native Finglas with drugs, which had brought down street prices.
Mr Hyland was angry that his former friend was muscling in on his patch and he had Mr Harte shot.
Among other suspects are two drug dealers who Mr Hyland wanted dead at the time of his own murder.
One is a well-known heroin dealer originally from the north inner city.
The other is another associate of Mr Hyland's who feared his boss was going to have him shot and has been hiding out in England and Spain in recent months.
